Most interviews begin with a time-wasting question such as: "Tell us something about yourself." Why? As the interviewer, you have the candidate's resume, cover letter, and some other documents like a portfolio, reference letters or surveys, transcripts, and test scores. What more do you need to know about a 22-year-old interviewing for their first teaching position?

This is the time before the school starts to be reflective of your life up to this point. Have a real introspection and in-depth conversation to give yourself credit where deserved, face the facts when necessary, be aware of where you need development, and be informed and confident in your natural gifts and abilities.

I like to know what incentives, marketing materials, and salaries they are offering. Last year I came across the most amazing teacher recruitment advertisement ever. It was so cool, I considered going back in the classroom, packing up my family, and moving to California. Going into my 20th year, I'm vested in insurance and retirement, I may have to reconsider.

Current research and educational pundits theorize that burgeoning initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI) and rapidly accelerating technological advances, that it will be incumbent upon students and the future generations of society to perpetually self-educate, prepare and nurture individual students in a process of lifelong learning. Virtual teaching is a new frontier in the evolution of education. Student and teacher preparedness is the best means by which to ensure the long-term viability of a free and independent democracy.

Working within your chosen profession of Teaching will bring you many many "ah-ha" moments as you reach those students who are hard to reach can certainly be life changing experiences. Embrace these times of work, be the master of your craft, work hard and watch the fruits of your labors be plentiful.

Every school and school district is unique so, do your research and do not make assumptions. Prior to your interview spend some time exploring the school website, tailor your application materials to the school culture (if you are applying to a school of the arts find ways to infuse this theme into your application materials), review the school's report card to get an understanding of the successes and challenges the schools faces.

The demands of the digital epoch require creative and innovative thinkers who are tasked and capable of finding unique solutions to complex problems. The future of innovation, the economy and ethical means of advancing the needs of humanity require students who are intellectually confident and emotionally secure in making mistakes while finding heuristic and complex answers to challenges facing humanity.

The demands of a post-modern society imply the need for students who are, in the words of Albert Einstein, "passionately curious" about their environs. Curious students are the best students. Technology and virtual learning paired with curiosity create abundant and dynamic learning opportunities for the 21st century classroom.

Most experienced educators will tell you that no respectable teacher would resign their position in the middle of the school year. Some would say that it was unheard of, whether it was written in their contracts or not, it didn't matter. Today is a new day and resignations are part of the business. Realistically public education, for as much as we try to emulate other industries, a resignation impacts more than a production line. It impacts children, no matter the position.

Homo-sapiens are known for their adaptability, and those that are reflective and introspective enough can self-learn by making mistakes. In the digital epoch, in which we currently reside, the role of teacher/learner takes on a much greater significance. The geometrically accelerating tech advances requires a new sort of person. One who can alter their direction and shift to essential foreseeable learning domains as they occur. Digital teaching and learning is one such domain.